New Ulm weekly review., 1887-03-16
BET; A SKETCH.
CHAPTER THE FIRST.

CHAPTER THE FIRST.
"A glorious July afternoon, some 60
years ago, in one OF the Midland
counties; a narrow lane between hedg-
es, where the wild rose grew in sweet
profusion; and a young man trudging
along, whistling scraps of country
ditties with lusty enjoyment.
He was strong, well-built fellow,
with an honest, kindly face, that was
redeemed from being commonplace by
the firm lips and bright grey eyes.
In one hand he carried a posy of
glowing summer flowers, and doubt
less it was thoughts of the future re-
cipient that made him whistle so gaily,
and rejoice SO glady in the shining sky
and hot sunshine.
Not that he could have told you
that he revelled in the beauties of
nature, for he was not poetical-ex-
cept in SO far that most good men
are SO more or less. But he could
have told you that his skies were the
blue eyes of Bet Woodruff, and his
sunshine was in her smiles.
Jasper Dean was farmer of the
good old sort-hard- working and per-
tectly content provided the crops were
good, and that sheep-rot did not get
amongst his focks. His little farm
had descended to him from his father,
and here Jasper had lived with his
mother ever since his first entry into
existence. He would not have
bartered his dear old home for all
the splendor CT a palace. The
quiet life had the charm of fa-
niliarity, and he was disturbed by no
ambition to explore the world in
quest of novelty or adventure. In
fact, his ambitions, such as they were,
were commonplace enough, though
just at present one of them seemed
to himself, atleast-absorbingly inter
esting.
He was engaged to be married; and
his ambition was to make the woman
he loved happy. Bet Woodruff!
Who could help loving Bet, with
her golden hair and soft blue eyes?
She was an orphan niece of Jasper's.
mother, and had lived as pet and
plaything at the farm since she was LIZ
yearsold. How Jasper had cherished
the little creature, played with her.,
and, as she grew older, hoped for her!
She, too, was fond of "good old,
Jasper" and thought him the finest
and best fellow in the country.
So it came about that they told
each other they could never be happy
apart. Jasper said that the farm,
with It's pretty garden and orchard,
was nothing to him without Bet; and
Bet whispered that she would love to-
live there always, with.Jasper.
No wonder, then, if Jasper felt that
hfe was splendid thing, as he carried
home his posy to Bet. Who would
not think SO in such a position?
Yet, as he crossed the meadow lead
ing to the farm, slight shado dow cloud
ed his eyes, and he looked down at the
flowers with a half-regretful sigh.
"She' was half-crazed for these aneme.
ones," he said to himself; ''and I've
had a tough walk to find 'em. But
the lass takes no thought for SUCH
like since that artist chaps bin at
her no. nor yet for me, neither.
She's not what she used to be. Like
II she finds I'm q bit dull and rusty.
A great, hulking fellow for such bit
o. sunlight as she is-bless her! But
love her, and that's saying more nor
lt'other chap, for allhis buttering ways.
If were to catch him a-fooling my
lass-If Iwere think He clenched
his hands with momentary anger,
| then shook himself impatiently, and.
opening the gate Of the orchard, add
Led, ''Pn never: doubt my Bet
trust her for q good and q sensible
lass, Jasper, lad, and thee'n not find
thee was a fool for thy pains. =
In the garden he found her. She was
not alone, for ALLAN Challoner, the
artist from London, was putting the
| finishing touches to a picture in which
Bet was the central figure. He had
been there most afternoons for the
last three weeks, telling Bet that her
hair and complexion were themes for
an artist to immortalize, and instilling
| into her innocent mind all the insidious
fiattery he knew so we'll how to ad-
minister to all women-lady or VII
lage maid alike. We may pardon
Jasper lovers jealousy OF such a
rival lone, moreover, who would be
no worthy rival, for though he might
steal Bets heart, it was all in pure
idleness, and he had no love to give
her ID return.
Bet was sitting, bareheaded. at a
spinning wheel, as lovely q model as